Plain-English translation of NCT04163809 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Read our Anxiety research guide →This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
This trial is testing whether virtual reality can help patients feel calmer and experience less pain during regional anesthesia (nerve block procedures) before surgery. Half of the participants will wear a virtual reality headset that shows pleasant, distracting scenes during their procedure, while the other half will not use virtual reality. Researchers want to see if this technology can be an effective tool to help manage discomfort during these procedures.
Before surgery, many patients feel anxious and uncomfortable during nerve block procedures. Doctors typically give patients pre-medications to help with this, but researchers want to explore whether virtual reality could be another option—or even a better option—to help reduce pain and anxiety without extra medications.
If you join this study, you'll be randomly assigned to either wear a virtual reality headset during your nerve block procedure or to have the procedure without it. Before and after your procedure, you'll complete a brief questionnaire about your pain and anxiety levels. The entire study takes place on the day of your procedure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, with no additional follow-up visits required.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Aug 18, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Sponsor
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Enrollment target
~80 participants
Started
January 2027
Primary completion
June 2028
Age range
18 Years – 64 Years
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in August 2026.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Janelle Burskey, RN
CSMC Department of Anesthesiology
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.